No Not Again ( Suspension )

[Essex Boy]

When I bought the new GTR back in January last year, trading in my old 'Brown one' my man at Colchester Kwak said "You really ought to buy a rear hugger for £100 because it will stop your rear adjustable suspension from seizing". So I did.

Guess what ?

That means that in 15 months of ownership and 17,000 miles I have had 3 sets of pads, new discs, the paint is chipping off my exhaust, the rear tyre pressure sensor has been flashing and now the suspension has seized up.

You know, I might just be having second thoughts about this bike.

Essex Boy

[SirToU]

easy way to sort the suspension adjuster.

Take it off (bolts are quite tight), Spray WD40 into the cap, then wind it up and down several times.

then wind it all the way in, and out 12 turns to set it back up.

after mine seized on my 2010 within 12 months, I did this and never had a problem with it since.

if you go back and replace it, your just going to have the same problem again in 12 months because its not lube'd up at the factory.   The other thing is, the hugger protects the rear shock but not the adjuster.

Water is being driven into the adjust from the front of the bike (I know it seems strange) but when you look at the patterns on the boxes and behind your legs from road dirt, its actually sat in a vortex just in front of the boxes, then being driven up the adjuster.

hope that helps, prepare to be strong!  turning that adjuster in and out, is not the easiest task, but it works or did on mine.


Neil

[100milesaway]

I pulled a tight fitting balloon over the adjuster.

[O.C.]

Even with what is 'higher'mileage on your bike EB there really shouldn't be that kind of problem with a GTR it is both Flagship, and super tourer when all is said and done.

I agree with SirTou a hugger wont protect the rear suspension adjuster 

[1ka]

And don't forget the chocolate bearings.  After 28K I'm on my fourth front set and just had the rear ones done.  28K is probably not too bad for a rear set, but 7K for a front? 

If I had to pay for it all, it adds up to an extra £1000 a year in parts and servicing.  Luckily I've had the discs and some front bearings on warranty.

It's not a low cost tourer, that's for sure.  Far more expensive to run than my previous FJR.  With the cost spread over three or four years, it makes it worth considering a BMW GT 1600 next time.

[Essex Boy]

Appreciate your thoughts and advice guys, especially SirTo U but as my bike is only 15 months into its life I think that Kawasaki can fit me a new one under the warranty and then I think I will put a balloon or something similar from Mr Durex on it.

but what annoys me is that if you had to check and clean and fiddle with your car suspension once a month there would ne uproar.

EB.

[O.C.]

With the cost spread over three or four years, it makes it worth considering a BMW GT 1600 next time.

The 'basic' R16GT is £15.7K o.t.r which is about £2K more than GTR the SE model BMW is another £1200 extra

[1ka]

The 'basic' R16GT is £15.7K o.t.r which is about £2K more than GTR the SE model BMW is another £1200 extra

Which is why the extra £4K in parts over four years on the GTR makes the BMW look attractive. 

Does anyone know if the BMW has any similar high mileage issues?

[SirToU]

Personally, I think your being harsh....... Poor GTR.

I'm now on 48600 miles and 1 month off 3 years old, 24/7 bike .....   Front bearings every 15-20k, rear bearings, 45k.  Never replaced disks - learnt how to take care of them on my first 2 GTRs.   Front disks repaced at 43k. Other niggles have been easily repaired, but actually not had many.

Got parts to fit, - rear brake light switch, but thats it really.  Touch wood.  Just as with anything, she gets looked after.... And maybe I'm a bit anal at times.  But it works.

Neil

[O.C.]

Which is why the extra £4K in parts over four years on the GTR makes the BMW look attractive. 

Does anyone know if the BMW has any similar high mileage issues?

I think you can reasonably assume that the BMW will also require some 'maintenance' during the course of ownership, I know that the new K1300 GT EE that I bought in 2010 certainly did

The R16 is a stunning bike and it's best to wait for Winston Smith to respond to your question, as he owns one and will no doubt provide you with some unbiased feedback. 

Horses for courses I reckon, the GTR certainly isn't perfect ...........but what is ? BTW I'm on my third GTR 

[1ka]

Appreciate your thoughts and advice guys, especially SirTo U but as my bike is only 15 months into its life I think that Kawasaki can fit me a new one under the warranty and then I think I will put a balloon or something similar from Mr Durex on it.

but what annoys me is that if you had to check and clean and fiddle with your car suspension once a month there would ne uproar.

EB.

Mine went after 13~14 months and was replaced under warranty with no hassle.  Bristol Kawasaki have been fairly good in getting things replaced under warranty.  I make sure I give it a few twists once a week and it's been fine since.  I might follow SirTou's advice and see if I can lube it too.

[1ka]

Personally, I think your being harsh....... Poor GTR.

Don't get me wrong, I think the GTR is a great all round bike.  However, the running costs are far more than I expected them to be when compared to the FJR I had before.  Same roads, same riding style yet it chews up discs and bearings.  After 65K on the FJR it still had the original discs! 

[mecki]

My bike is now 23 months old, has 12500 miles on the clock and so far I only had the front brake pads replaced a week ago.
Every time I tried the pre-load adjuster it turned so I assume it is still OK too.
And if Kawasaki keeps replacing shocks on warranty I guess they will do something about it sooner or later.
Let's see what the 2014 or 2015 models bring.
And since it looks like I have a Tuesday machine I'll keep it for another 2 years before trading it in for a new one. 

[patrick]

Mine is just turned 4 yrs old and only covered 17 miles. Admittedly the original exhaust is unused in the garage but I wind the rear suspension adjuster in and out on a regular basis and it gives  no issues.

I've replaced both sets of pads once and the only warranty work was the TP sensors at the end of the 4 year warranty.

As for comparisons with other bikes, a friend of mine had a new BMW K1300GT  and had no end of electrical issues with it and he gave up and part ex'd it for a Pan

P

[mecki]

Mine is just turned 4 yrs old and only covered 17 miles.

So you only rode it home after you collected it and left it in the garage ever since?